Professional Development for Delaware Library Staff: Reference - CORE

Libraries have the capacity to inspire, engage and support community members of all ages. Libraries provide an array of opportunities for adult patrons from diverse backgrounds. Reference staff:

• Develop and maintain a collection of reference resources to meet community needs.
• Facilitate library users’ requests for information and provide accurate and appropriate answers.
• Demonstrate ability to meet information-seeking needs of users.

The Competency Index for the Library Field includes Reference on pages 43 & 44.

Reference was identified as a CORE training need in the Training Needs Assessment.  It ranked #5 out of 51 self-identified urgent training needs.  It ranked #6 out of 60 topics staff would like training in.  39% (55) of respondents indicated they would like training at the Beginner level, 32% (45) would like training at the Intermediate level, and 28% (40) would like training at the Advanced level.

Information Services (database training and research training) is identified as a CORE skill for Sussex County libraries.

• As part of Reference, 137 respondents indicated they would like training in eResources.  52% (71) indicated they would like training at the Beginner level, 27% (37) would like training at the Intermediate level, and 28% (40) would like training at the Advanced level.  
• As part of eResources, 133 respondents indicated they would like training in HeritageQuest.  56% (74) indicated they would like training at the Beginner level, 24% (32) would like training at the Intermediate level, and 20% (27) would like training at the Advanced level.
• As part of eResources, 125 respondents indicated they would like training in Flipster.  56% (70) indicated they would like training at the Beginner level, 22% (27) would like training at the Intermediate level, and 22% (28) would like training at the Advanced level. 
• As part of eResources, 123 respondents indicated they would like training in Learning Express.  53% (65) indicated they would like training at the Beginner level, 24% (30) would like training at the Intermediate level, and 23% (28) would like training at the Advanced level.
• As part of eResources, 122 respondents indicated they would like training in Homework Help.  56% (68) indicated they would like training at the Beginner level, 25% (31) would like training at the Intermediate level, and 19% (23) would like training at the Advanced level.
• As part of eResources, 122 respondents indicated they would like training in NoveList.  50% (61) indicated they would like training at the Beginner level, 24% (30) would like training at the Intermediate level, and 25% (31) would like training at the Advanced level.
• As part of eResources, 119 respondents indicated they would like training in Workforce Skills.  55% (66) indicated they would like training at the Beginner level, 27% (32) would like training at the Intermediate level, and 18% (21) would like training at the Advanced level.
• As part of eResources, 116 respondents indicated they would like training in ReferenceUSA.  57% (66) indicated they would like training at the Beginner level, 22% (26) would like training at the Intermediate level, and 21% (24) would like training at the Advanced level.
• As part of eResources, 114 respondents indicated they would like training in MasterFile Premier.  55% (63) indicated they would like training at the Beginner level, 19% (22) would like training at the Intermediate level, and 25% (29) would like training at the Advanced level.

Safety - Provide a safe environment for staff and public, ensuring privacy, confidentiality, and physical well-being.

Courtesy - Treat everyone with kindness and respect.

Knowledge - Be aware of library policies, procedures, and resources.

Efficiency - Provide accurate and timely service with the best use of tangible and intangible resources.

Missy Williams

Virtual Reference Librarian

DDL Head of Reference Services

Bimonthly meetings scheduled for the 3rd Thursday at 2pm.

See archived notes here - SPDT - Reference - Statewide Professional Development Team - LibGuides at Delaware Division of Libraries

Reference & User Services Association, ALA

Responsible for stimulating and supporting excellence in the delivery of general library services and materials and the provision of reference and information services, collection development, readers’ advisory, and resource sharing for all ages, in every type of library.

• Question-answering and patron interaction follow the Reference and Users Services Association (RUSA) Guidelines for Behavioral Performance for Reference and Information Services Providers.  

• Professional Competencies for Reference and User Services Librarians are outlined in detail on RUSA's site.

• See also the Virtual Reference Skills Training outline, as this directly affects our training and service criteria, also found on RUSA.  

RUSA Guidelines for Virtual Reference 

Sample job postings describing duties/responsibilities of a Reference & Adult Services Librarian -  from WebJunction

Flipster is a next-generation digital magazine distribution service where users can access their favorite magazines from a variety of publishers and download magazines to read offline, anytime, anywhere.

• App for iPad & iPhone
• FAQs
• Promotion Kit (includes TUTORIALS)
• User Guide

Global Delaware Training was provided online on May 24, 2016.  Here is the link to the recording.  
The introduction to Global Delaware's "Guide to How to Form a Delaware Business Entity Online" (2 minute video) is shown below.  

The urls for the public to incorporate are located at http://guides.lib.de.us/entrepreneurship

Here is a link to the IS Job Seeker Resources LibGuide.  This LibGuide is a rich resource for helping patrons with job and career assistance!

ProQuest Training on Heritage Quest and Ancestry, April 2016, included the following handouts.  ProQuest also has a LibGuide on Genealogy (getting started).